Page 66 of Hockey 101

She’s brandishing a fork at me. There is dessert. Chocolate cake. Yum. She opens the plastic clamshell and takes a big forkful. Post-sex Andy is even hotter—flushed skin, relaxed expression, and happy mood. Best of all, her shyness is gone and she’s boldly naked, freely sharing that incredible body with me.

I chuckle and rest my arm across my face. I feel drained, but good. A new fantasy comes to me: spending a week in a cabin, with Andy naked the whole time. Fucking her whenever I want. In other words, heaven.

After a few bites, she puts the cake and fork on the bedside table. She snuggles against my chest.

I kiss the top of her head. I wish I could spend the night here with you, but I have a big day tomorrow.

I’ve got an early skate and then have to get ready for the road game. I enjoy a few more minutes of Andy’s naked skin pressed against me, then force myself to get up and find my clothes. Andy stretches out her arms and then curls up like a contented cat. Once I’m dressed, I bend down to pull the covers up to her chin.

She smiles up angelically. Are you tucking me in?

No. I’m covering you up so I’ll be able to leave. Because when I look at you, all I want to do is fuck you again.

Her eyes sparkle. That’s what I want too. Maybe after your game on Saturday?

I pull on my jacket and smile. It’s a date. You’re coming to the game, right? She comes to every game, unless she has RA duties.

Yes. I’m going to watch with Jacob and learn stuff.

I feel a stupid pang of jealousy. Not about Jacob, who’s a good guy, but because I want to be the one who answers all Andy’s hockey questions. Or maybe just because I want to spend more time with her.

17

VIEW FROM ABOVE

ANDY

WELL, IT’S AN honour to finally watch a game with you, I say.

Jacob scowls at me, since his grouchy exterior covers an even grouchier interior. However, once he gets started on his passions—hockey and anime—he’s a great source of knowledge. I have no interest in Japanese cartoons, but I still want to know more about hockey, partly for my sports editing, but also because I want to understand Jack better.

Since Jacob loves to test me, we’re currently perched on a scary catwalk, high above the arena.

I have a death grip on the metal railing, and my voice quavers. Has anyone other than the maintenance staff ever been up here before?

The higher up you get, the easier it is to see what’s going to happen. The game basically unfurls in front of you. But if you’re too scared…

Stop. I already know you’re not an asshole, so you can stop trying to be one, I say.

He chuckles. Okay, let’s watch the first period up here, then we can go downstairs.

When the game begins, it is easier to see the plays develop. I’m able to see the gap when a Mustangs defenceman lunges out of position for a body check, allowing a Lakeview College player to score the first goal.

Now I understand why Coach Norman yells on the bench, I say.

O.D. likes to hit. But you have to pick your spots, Jacob says.

Oh, was that Tom O’Donnell? Jack never talks about him, but he always tenses up when the big defenceman is around. I’m sure there’s something going on.

What’s O.D.’s story? I ask casually.

Jacob gives me a sidelong glance. You mean, what’s the story between O.D. and your boyfriend?

Is it ridiculous that I get a little thrill each time someone calls Jack my boyfriend? I nod.

O.D. is a bully. There’s only one way to deal with guys like him, Jacob says.

And Jack isn’t a person who feels comfortable standing up for himself. He wants to get along with everyone, so his approach is to turn up the niceness. But Jacob is right, some bullies won’t stop until you push back. Ironically, if I were the one O.D. was bullying, Jack would defend me in a nanosecond.

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